Ol' Dirty Bastard - Return to the 36 Chambers: The Dirty Version

Return's title and various lyrics acknowledge Wu-Tang's self-built mythology, but Ol' Dirty Bastard's solo debut, like the man himself, runs on its own idiosyncratic power. Rapping forcefully and on point--mumbling, singing, allowing weird wordless sounds to escape his throat in an assertion of his right to make random noise--ODB slips from mode to mode like Marvin Gaye juxtaposing the gruff and the smooth in the same song. The production, mostly by the RZA, sets the man down in the middle of funky, shape-shifting tracks to scream for blood, shout out to the Temptations and "you other grooops!" and threaten "any MC in any 52 states." "I love that guy," ODB secret identity Russell Jones declares of his alter ego at the outset; after a listen to this disc, it's likely at least part of you will, too. --Rickey Wright Amazon.com

Now that's dirty...

Ol Dirty Bastard may be the rawest, dirtiest member of Wu-Tang, but his self-titled album may be the most offbeat of all the albums.

There are plenty of dirty lyrics to spare, such as ODB's vivid description of oral sex in "Don't You Know" and a bloody rap in "Raw Hide" where he raps, "I wanna see blood! Whether its period blood/or bustin your ****in' face, I just wanna see blood!" But his rawness is so genuine, with anger at society and a need for dirty pleasure.

There are plenty of other crazy lines, where ODB raps about making a "young ***** wanna drop your drawers" and then sings "Somewhere over the rainbow." The RZA adds his off-kilter beats as well to make this one of the nastiest albums in rap history. Whether he's making weird orgy sounds in "Drunk Game (Sweet Sugar Pie)" or imitating Slick Rick, ODB really shines in the "Return to the 36 Chambers."

ODB may have died, but he sure went out with a bang. ODB really pushed the envelope with this album, making his own voice a unique social commentary on racial poverty. August 5, 2008

One of the greatest in the "Original Line" of Wu Tang albums.

This album, apart from its nostalgic value that it holds with many fans of the early 90's NYC-come-east-coast-hip-hop sound is a pure classic thrown on the scene from the wu dynasty.

lyrically, the playful, carefree and crude ODB slices it up on his first album, serving an array of harsh, honest lyrics with almost a battle theme to them, and yet at the same time maintaining the essential crude raw style that defined him. If he was to play a character in a old school kung fu movie, he would be the drunken, self indulgent and womanising master, seemingly harmless unless provoked.

production on this album was, naturally, done by the RZA. Providing the similar eery and melodic beats of previous solo wu work, with samples ranging from Kung Fu Movies to old jazz and blues records.

The guest appearences are of a stellar selection: Method Man, Raekwon, Killa Priest, Masta Killa, Zu Keeper, Buddha Monk and Prodigal Sunn, making this album an all star cast and representing brooklyn on the grandest of scales.

make no mistake, "Return of the 36 Chambers" is an all time wu tang classic, in the tradition of Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers),Liquid Swords,Only Built 4 Cuban Linx and Tical February 17, 2008

Awesome

Ol Dirty is my favorite rapper of time. His style is all his own and I love the way he raps. Im not ashamed to admit that I cried when ODB died. Even though I never met the guy, he really inspired me thru his songs. This album is a mix of great rap tracks like Cuttin Headz, Brooklyn Zoo, The Stomp, and Raw Hide. I love his take on Somewhere Over The Rainbow as well, cant explain just listen and you'll know. I'll just say that there is not a weak track on this whole cd. Anther thing I like is there isnt skits on this cd. ODB speaks on his first track but the rest of the cd, its mixed in with songs. Besides Enter the 36 Chambers by Wu Tang CLan, there isnt a finer rap cd out there. I really miss ODB but his music will live on forever. December 14, 2007

Yeah baby he likes its raaaaawwww!

ODB is one those people who is the life of the party, the only one with personality out of the group. Even though he is not the best MC out of the Wutang Clan he is not the worst(hello Ugod anybody). Standout Tracks: SHIMMY SHIMMY YA, BROOKLYN ZOO, HIPPA TO DA HOPPA, RAWHIDE, DAMAGE, THE STOMP, SNAKES, PROTECT YA NECKII THE ZOO, CUTTIN HEADZ and HARLEM WORLD. I'll admit that I still laugh my a** off when I hear Drunk Game(Sweet Sugar Pie). Filler: Brooklyn ZooII(Tiger Crane)(Ghostface verse was fire but the rest of the song is...... and Dirty Dancin(sounds like it was poorly mixed). Bottom Line: This Is ODB's best effort and unfortunately the best album he ever made(check every album after this one if you have doubt). Rza and company werent slacking on the production and Ol' Dirty and the guest appearances were exceptional on this album. REST IN PEACE RUSSELL JONES AKA ODB AKA DIRT MCGIRT AKA you know the rest! March 23, 2007

I don't even like your profile!

Like common perceptions of ODB, I thought he was a clown. After listening to this whole album, I think ODB is a modern day Screamin' Jay Hawkins. When ODB rhymes welfare with.....welfare, not only is it hilarious, but incredibly heady as well, considering the shame associated with that word and the powerful and ironic way he rhymes it twice in a couplet. Forget all the serious hip hop heads. What's genius about ODB is that he's oblivious to pretension. He's pure. March 23, 2007

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